Scent control according to local conditions of a scent control device

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention relate to devices, systems, and methods for selectively emitting scent control material responsive to local conditions of a scent control device. The local conditions may dictate the effectiveness of a given set of output parameters of a scent control device. The scent control device accepts as input, one or more conditional inputs carrying information about the local conditions around the scent control device, such as weather conditions, elevation, barometric pressure, or functional status of the scent control device. Operational programs corresponding to the conditional inputs may be automatically selected based on the combination of conditional inputs to cause the output parameters of the scent control device to match or take into account the local conditions. The scent control device then outputs scent control material such as ozone at a rate effective to control one or more scents to a level that is not perceivable by animals or humans.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/992,561, filed on 30 May 2018, now pending, the disclosure of whichis incorporated, in its entirety, by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Animals have an acute sense of smell and are capable of recognizing ahuman scent or any other scent that is indicative of possible danger,such as scent carried by equipment, even at long distances. To avoidbeing detected, hunters, photographers, researchers, etc., typicallyattempt to position themselves downwind of an animal or will try to masktheir scent with commercially available “natural” scents. The “natural”scent may include animal scents (e.g., animal urine) or vegetationscents (e.g., pine). However, such “natural” scents will not mask humanscents. Rather, the animals smell both scents, though the human scentmay be relatively overpowered by the “natural” scent.

Weather conditions may affect scent elimination techniques. For example,strong winds may disperse human scent over a wide area, potentiallyexposing human scent to more animals. Accordingly, those interested inscent control continue to seek improved scent control strategies.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention relate to devices, systems, and methods forcontrolling scents using selective oxidant output corresponding to localconditions.

A scent control device according to at least some embodiments isdisclosed. The scent control device includes a portable oxidant source.The scent control device includes a controller operably coupled to theportable oxidant source, the controller including one or moreoperational programs stored therein to control output of an oxidant fromthe portable oxidant source, each of the one or more operationalprograms including oxidant output parameters associated with acombination of one or more conditional inputs. The scent control deviceincludes one or more selectors operably coupled to the controller forinputting the one or more conditional inputs into the controller.

A scent control system according to at least some embodiments isdisclosed. The scent control system includes a portable scent controldevice. The scent control system includes an oxidant generator. Thescent control system includes a controller operably coupled to theoxidant generator, the controller including one or more operationalprograms stored therein to control output of an oxidant from theportable scent control device, each of the one or more operationalprograms including oxidant output parameters associated with acombination of one or more conditional inputs. The scent control systemincludes one or more selectors operably coupled to the controller forinputting the one or more conditional inputs corresponding to localconditions of the portable scent control device into the controller. Thescent control system includes a remote computing system operably coupledto the one or more selectors, the remote computing system including atleast one database of conditional inputs and corresponding oxidantoutput operational programs.

A method of selectively emitting scent control material responsive tolocal conditions of a scent control device, according to at least someembodiments, is disclosed. The method includes inputting one or moreconditional inputs into a system including a portable scent controldevice. The method includes automatically selecting an operationalprogram responsive to receiving the one or more conditional inputs,wherein the operational program includes one or more selected oxidantoutput parameters corresponding to the one or more conditional inputs,and the one or more selected oxidant output parameters are effective tocause the portable scent control device to emit oxidant at a selectedoxidant output rate. The method includes automatically adjusting one ormore output parameters of the portable scent control device to the oneor more selected oxidant output parameters. The method includesoutputting the oxidant from the portable scent control device at theselected oxidant output rate.

Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used incombination with one another, without limitation. In addition, otherfeatures and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of thefollowing detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention, whereinidentical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements orfeatures in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a scent control device, according to at leastsome embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a system for controlling scent, according to atleast some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the portable scent control device during use,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of different locations havingdifferent local conditions, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of different environments at the samelocation each having different local conditions, according to at leastsome embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system for controlling scents of objects,according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method of selectively emitting scentcontrol material responsive to local conditions of a scent controldevice, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a controller for executing any of theexample methods disclosed herein, according to at least someembodiments.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example computer program product,according to at least some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to devices, systems, and methods forselectively controlling scent(s) responsive to one or more localconditions. The conditions may include environmental conditions, thefunctional condition of the scent control device, or even a condition ofthe user. In embodiments, a scent control device may be part of asystem, or used in a method, for controlling or eliminating scent(s).Scent control, as disclosed herein, includes at least partiallyeliminating scent(s). Some scent molecules may be recognizable byanimals or humans as being synonymous with humans or danger. Scentmolecules are controlled or eliminated by the devices, systems, andmethods herein by reacting the scent molecules with oxidants such asozone to change the molecular structure of the scent molecules.Oxidation changes the molecular structure of the scent molecules to anew, different structure that is not readily recognized by animals orhumans. For example, receptors in the olfactory system of an animal maybe keyed to recognize a specific chemical structure, but when thespecific chemical structure is altered via oxidation, the receptors maynot recognize the altered chemical structure. Accordingly, the scentmolecules may be effectively eliminated and replaced with unrecognizablederivatives or reactants. The derivatives may be detected, but are notassociated with a humans or danger. Accordingly, scents are at leastpartially eliminated (e.g., controlled) by the devices, systems, andmethods disclosed herein. By using the methods, devices, and systemsdisclosed herein, a user may alter the behavior of an animal, such aslowering an animal's perception of immediate danger by removing orotherwise obfuscating scents that animals associate with danger. Themethods, devices, and systems disclosed herein also alter animalbehavior by leading an animal to believe that a human is not presentallowing the human to get closer to the animal than is otherwisepossible.

While described in terms of scent control, the devices, systems, andmethods disclosed herein may be used to oxidize any materials in an airvolume or on objects, responsive to local conditions, not just tocontrol scents.

The scent control devices disclosed herein include a portable oxidantsource, a controller operably coupled to the portable oxidant source,and one or more selectors operably coupled to the controller forinputting, into the controller, one or more conditional inputscontaining data of local conditions of the portable oxidant source. Oneor more conditional inputs may be input into the controller to providedata of the local conditions (e.g., physical conditions or location) tothe controller. The one or more conditional inputs cause the controllerto selectively control the output parameters of the portable oxidantsource to direct the scent control device to effectively controlscent(s) in various environmental (e.g., elevation, humidity,temperature, wind, etc.) and functional conditions. For example, thefunctional conditions of the portable oxidant source may account fordifferent portable oxidant source models having different maximumoutputs or a reduced function of a corona discharge plate in theportable oxidant source. Accordingly, a single scent control device,system, or method may be able to effectively control scents in any of amyriad of locations and conditions.

The inventors have discovered that an oxidant source running at a singleoutput may be less effective in controlling scent(s) in some conditions(e.g., weather, elevation, etc.) to sufficiently prevent humans oranimals from detecting the scent(s). However, the portable scent controldevices, systems, and methods herein effectively control scents in anyconditions, responsive to inputting conditional inputs into the deviceor system. Various devices and components for providing the conditionalinputs and selectively adjusting oxidant output parameters are disclosedherein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a scent control device 100, according to atleast some embodiments. The scent control device 100 includes a portableoxidant source 110, a controller 120 operably coupled to the portableoxidant source 110, and one or more selectors 130 operably coupled tothe controller 120. The scent control device 100 may further include atleast one fan 150 operably coupled to the controller 120, a power supply140 operably coupled to one or more components of the device 100, a dataconnection 160 operably coupled to the controller 120 and the one ormore selectors 130, and a remote control 180 operably coupled to thedata connection 160. In practice, the one or more selectors 130 may beused to input one or more conditional inputs into the device (e.g.,controller 120). The one or more conditional inputs may include at leastone of weather conditions, location of the device, device functionalconditions, or conditions of the user. The controller 120 includes oneor more operational programs stored therein for controlling the outputof oxidant from the device 100. The one or more operational programsinclude machine readable and executable instructions to control outputof an oxidant from the portable oxidant source 110 according to oxidantoutput parameters corresponding to a combination of the one or moreconditional inputs. Accordingly, the controller 120 selectively controlsthe output of oxidant from the portable oxidant source 110 responsive tothe conditional inputs.

The scent control device 100 and the components therein may be sized andshaped to be carried by a single person in a single unit. For example,at least some of the components of the device 100 may be containedwithin or on a single housing 170. Each of the components of the device100 is discussed in more detail below.

The portable oxidant source 110 provides one or more oxidants in gaseousform, vapor form, or droplet form. Gaseous oxidants may more readilydisperse into an environment than vapor or droplet oxidants. The one ormore oxidants may include one or more of ozone, diatomic oxygen,diatomic halogens, peroxides, radicals of any of the foregoing orcomponents thereof, metastable oxygen, negatively charged metal oxides,encapsulated ozone, activated ozone, peracetic acid, chlorine dioxide,thixotropic gels, singlet oxygen, hypochlorite, or chlorite. Ozone andderivatives thereof (e.g., singlet oxygen, diatomic oxygen, atomicoxygen, metastable oxygen, or activated oxygen) may be particularlysuitable for controlling scents (e.g., breaking down or reacting scentmolecules or scent molecule sources). For example, ozone may be readilydispersed into an environment due to the relatively small size of ozonemolecules relative to vapors or droplets of other oxidants such as mostperoxides. Ozone is known to have an oxidation potential that is greaterthan nearly all oxidizers, with the exception of a small few such asfluorine or hydroxyl radicals. For example, ozone has be shown to reactup to 10 times faster than chlorine. Additionally, ozone readily breaksdown to harmless derivatives such as diatomic oxygen due to the inherentinstability of the ozone molecule.

The portable oxidant source 110 may include an ozone generator such ascorona discharge ozone generator (e.g., corona discharge plate), anultraviolet ozone generator, an electrolytic ozone generator, or anyother type of ozone generator. In some examples, the portable oxidantsource includes an ionizer or electrostatic precipitator. The coronadischarge ozone generator presents the advantages of being relativelysmall and efficient in comparison to other oxidant generators. Theportable oxidant source may include a source of peroxides or derivativesthereof (e.g., hydroperoxides, hydroxyl radicals, or peroxide radicals).For example, a catalytic ionizer may provide oxidants. Catalyticionization of air by ultraviolet light may produce a mixture of hydroxylions, hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide ions (as well as ozone).The oxidant generator may be an activated water or peroxide ion orradical generator, such as an electrolytic device for carrying outelectrolysis of one or more of water or a peroxide. The portable oxidantsource may include a fluid oxidant storage and a mist sprayer operablycoupled thereto to spray a mist (e.g., droplets or micro droplets) offluid oxidant.

The portable oxidant source 110 may be sized and shaped to be carried bya single person, such as in the device 100. For example, the portableoxidant source may include the oxidant generator, such as a coronadischarge ozone generator, and the controller 120. In examples, suitableportable oxidant sources may include those found in the HR200, HR230, orHR400 ozone generators from Ozonics LLC, of Mason City, Iowa, U.S.A.

The portable oxidant source 110 may be controlled by the controller 120.The controller 120 may control each of the portable oxidant source 110,the one or more selectors 130, the power supply 140, the at least onefan 150, or the data connection 160 (e.g., communication port). Thecontroller may be a part of, or separate from, the portable oxidantsource 110. The controller 120 may be operably coupled to the portableoxidant source 110, the one or more selectors 130, the power supply 140,the at least one fan 150, or the data connection 160 via a hardwired orwireless connection. Suitable wireless connections may include any ofWi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared, or radio frequency connections betweencomponents of the device 100. The hardwired connections 142 may carryone or more of power or data. Suitable hardwired connections 142 mayinclude one or more of circuits, transistors, capacitors, resistors,electrical wiring, or any other tangible connection capable of carryingelectrical bias(es) from one component to another.

The controller 120 is operably coupled to the portable oxidant source110 to control generation or emission of oxidant, according to outputparameters in one or more operational programs. The controller 120includes one or more operational programs stored therein to control oneor more output parameters of the portable oxidant source, such as amountof oxidant produced or emitted (e.g., per unit time), emissiondurations, or pulse durations. The machine readable and executableinstructions control output of an oxidant from the portable oxidantsource 110, such as via selective control of electrical bias supplied tothe portable oxidant source 110. Each of the one or more operationalprograms include oxidant output parameters associated with a combinationof one or more conditional inputs. For example, the operational programsinclude machine readable instructions to output oxidant at a higherrates via higher voltage parameters than instructions to output oxidantat a lower rate. The instructions to output oxidant at higher rates maybe correlated to one or more conditional inputs, such as a combinationof conditional inputs, by the controller 120. Accordingly, a combinationof conditional inputs may prescribe a plurality (e.g., combination) ofoutput parameters. Such output parameters include amount of electricalbias (e.g., voltage) delivered to the portable oxidant source 110 orduration of electrical bias delivered to the portable oxidant source.The output parameters may include pulsatile durations for pulsedemission of oxidant, pulse amplitude (e.g., amount of oxidant producedper unit time), durations for pulsed emission in addition to a normaloperating amplitude, or pulse amplitude over a normal operating amount.The output parameters may include fan actuation, fan speed, or fanactuation duration for the fan 150. The output parameters may include avoltage delivered to the corona discharge plate (e.g., electrodes) forone or more standard or normal operation modes, such as an indoor oroutdoor operation mode. The output parameter for the voltage deliveredto the corona discharge plate may be at least 100 volts, such as 100volts to 10,000 volts, 100 volts to 3,000 volts, 3,000 volts to 6,000volts, 6,000 volts to 10,000 volts, less than 6,000 volts, less than5,000 volts, at least 1,000 volts, at least 3,000 volts, or at least4,000 volts.

The temporary boost mode voltage may include at least a 5% increase involtage over the current operation mode, such as 5% to 80% more, 10% to50% more, 20% to 40% more, or less than an 80% increase in voltage overthe standard operation mode. The duration of the temporary boost mode(duration of the voltage increase over the standard indoor or outdoormode) may be at least 30 seconds, such as 30 seconds to 2 hours, 1minute to 1 hour, 5 minutes to 30 minutes, 10 minutes to 20 minutes, 5minutes to 15 minutes, less than 1 hour, or less than 30 minutes. Thecurrent operation mode may be a standard indoor mode or standard outdoormode.

The controller 120 may receive as conditional inputs one or more localconditions. The local conditions may include information about theconditions in the location of the device 100. The local conditions mayinclude one or more of a wind speed, an elevation, a barometricpressure, a relative humidity, a temperature, or an indoor location ofan area where the oxidant source is located. For example, each of theforegoing may affect the efficiency of the device or the effect ofoxidant (e.g., ozone) on scent molecules in the local environment. Insome examples, wind may disperse oxidant emitted from the portableoxidant source faster than a base emission rate allows for effectivedestruction (e.g., reaction) of scent molecules. In some examples, heatmay cause oxygen molecules used to form oxidant and the oxidant todisperse and dissipate faster than in colder environments, or humiditymay degrade or react with the oxidant to prevent the oxidant fromreacting with scent molecules or sources of scent molecules. Relativelylower barometric pressure may lead to more oxidant dispersion in anenvironment than relatively higher barometric pressure. For example, itis currently believed that higher barometric pressure concentrates theoxygen available in the atmosphere relative to lower barometricpressure. Accordingly, it may be necessary to provide greater amounts ofvoltage to the corona discharge ozone generator to produce an effectiveamount of oxidant, when local conditions indicate lower barometricpressures. The reduces amount of oxygen for forming ozone maynecessitate more voltage delivery to the corona discharge generator toproduce the amount of oxidant to effectively oxidize scent molecules (orscent molecule sources such as bacteria) to at least a level where theyare not detectable by a human or an animal.

The conditional inputs of local conditions may provide information tothe controller 120 which may be used to select oxidant output parametersto effectively control scent molecules based at least upon the localconditions. For example, the controller 120 may have the oxidant outputparameters stored therein as operational programs and automaticallyselect the output parameters corresponding to any single or combinationof local conditions, upon receiving the conditional inputs including thelocal conditions. In examples, normal (e.g., standard outdoor) operatingmode of the oxidant source may be effective in winds up to 5 miles perhour (mph), but in winds of 50 to 10 miles per hour it may be necessaryto increase the oxidant output by 10%-30% or 20% to 30%, while in 10 to20 mile per hour winds it may be necessary to increase oxidant output byat least 20% such as 20% to 50% or 30% to 50%, in order to effectivelycontrol scent(s). In examples, windy conditions may also accompanyrelatively lower barometric pressures, which may require an additionalincrease in oxidant output parameters as discussed above.

In examples, the local conditions include an elevation, globalpositioning system (GPS) coordinates, or position with respect to windobstructions (e.g., leeward side of a mountain). Higher elevations maylead to more oxidant dispersion (e.g., lower concentration of oxidantper unit volume of ambient air) than lower elevations, making itnecessary to provide greater amounts of oxidant than at lower elevationsto effectively oxidize scent molecules (or scent molecule sources suchas bacteria) to a level where they are not detectable by a human or ananimal. Similarly, the amount of ambient oxygen available to convert toozone using a portable ozone generator is less than the amount at lowerelevations. Accordingly, the scent control device 100 may includeoperational programs with output parameters that provide greater oxidantoutput (e.g., output parameters with higher outputs such as voltage)when conditional inputs indicate that one of the local conditions is arelatively higher elevation. The GPS coordinates may provide thelocation (e.g., position) necessary for the controller 120 to fetch data(e.g., elevation or weather) of local conditions corresponding to thelocation described by the GPS coordinates. The controller 120 mayautomatically incorporate any local conditions from the data and selectoxidant output parameters corresponding thereto. The data may beregionally specific, with GPS coordinates of a geographic region beingcorrelated to the local conditions and corresponding conditional outputsassociated therewith, such as in a database.

In examples, local conditions include the model or type of portableoxidant source. Such examples may provide information as to the maximumoutput of the portable oxidant source. For example, some portableoxidant source models may have a relatively higher or lower base oxidantoutput level than other portable oxidant source models. In examples,local conditions include the functional status of the portable oxidantsource. For example, the functional status may include the efficiency ofa corona discharge ozone generator as a function of voltage input intothe corona discharge plates. Accordingly, the controller 120 may selectoutput parameters to account for a reduced efficiency of the portableoxidant source 110. For example, when the conditional inputs of thelocal conditions indicate that a corona discharge plate(s) is operatingat a decreased efficiency (e.g., only 85% or less of the voltagedelivered to the discharge plates is passed between the discharge platesto produce ozone), the controller 120 may automatically select oxidantoutput parameters corresponding thereto to compensate for the decreasedefficiency. The local conditions may include the power supply status,such as the amount of charge in a battery, or a duration of operationbased on the amount of charge in the battery.

In some examples, health data of a user or users may be part of thelocal conditions. For example, if a user sweats more or less than anaverage person, a conditional input for such a local condition may beused to provide more or less oxidant to ensure the scent from the sweatis controlled.

In examples, the output parameters of the one or more operationalprograms stored in the controller 120 are composed to direct a selectedamount of oxidant output per unit time based upon the combination of theconditional inputs. For example, each conditional input may correspondto an amount of oxidant output per unit time. The controller 120 may addup the respective amounts of oxidant output per unit time correspondingto each conditional input (e.g., local condition) of the combination ofconditional inputs to provide (e.g., run) an operational program thathas oxidant output parameters that account for each conditional input(e.g., a sum of oxidant output parameters). In such a way, the scentcontrol device 100 may selectively emit oxidant at varying levels basedon the local conditions of the scent control device 100.

In examples, output parameters of the one or more operational programsstored in the controller 120 are composed to direct a selected amount ofoxidant output per unit time based upon the value of the oxidant outputparameters corresponding to the combination of the conditional inputs.For example, a base oxidant emission rate may be at least 50 mg ofoxidant (e.g., ozone) per hour (“mg/hr”), such as 50 mg/hr to 1 g/hr,100 mg/hr to 500 mg/hr, 500 mg/hr to 1 g/hr, 100 mg/hr to 200 mg/hr, 150mg/hr to 250 mg/hr, 200 mg/hour to 400 mg/hour, 250 mg/hr to 350 mg/hr,200 mg/hr to 300 mg/hr, 300 mg/hr to 400 mg/hr, 350 mg/hr to 450 mg/hr,400 mg/hr to 500 mg/hr, 500 mg/hr to 600 mg/hr, 600 mg/hr to 700 mg/hr,700 mg/hr to 800 mg/hr, less than 800 mg/hr, less than 500 mg/hr, orless than 300 mg/hr.

In examples, the output parameters of the one or more operationalprograms stored in the controller 120 are composed to direct a selectedamount of oxidant output per unit time for a selected duration basedupon the value of the combination of output parameters corresponding tothe conditional inputs. For example, the output parameters may includean emission duration of one or more pulses of oxidant of at least a 5second duration, such as 5 seconds to 12 hours, 30 seconds to 6 hours, 1minute to 3 hours, 5 minutes to 1 hour, less than 6 hours, or less thanone hour. The pulse durations may be at least 20 seconds, such as 20seconds to 1 hour, 1 minute to 40 minutes, 2 minutes to 30 minutes, 3minutes to 20 minutes, 5 minutes to 15 minutes, 5 minutes to 20 minutes,20 minutes to 40 minutes, 40 minutes to an hour, less than an hour, lessthan 30 minutes, or less than 20 minutes. The pulses may be deliveredaccording to a standard operating mode (e.g., relatively constant amountand duration of oxidant emission) or a temporary boost mode.

The temporary boost mode may include an increase in oxidant emission orgeneration over a base or current emission rate, such as at least a 5%increase, a 10% increase to a 30% increase, a 20% increase to a 40%increase, a 30% increase to a 50% increase, a 40% increase to a 60%increase, a 60% increase to an 80% increase, an 80% increase to a 100%increase, a 100% increase to a 200 increase, less than 150% increase,less than 100% increase, or less than a 50% increase in an amount ofoxidant produced over the base or current emission rate. For example, atemporary boost mode operational program for temporarily increasing anamount of oxidant emitted from the portable oxidant source to a selectedamount for a selected duration may include directions (e.g., operationalinstructions) to increase an output of the portable oxidant source by atleast 30% for a duration of at least 1 minute. The base or currentemission rate may be the standard indoor emission rate or the standardoutdoor emission rate (e.g., greater emission amount than the indoorrate). The base or current emission rate may be a rate of oxidantemission that has been adjusted to account for local conditions asdisclosed herein.

During the pulses of the temporary boost mode, an increased amount ofoxidant (relative to a base or current emission rate) may be emittedinto an environment for the selected duration to provide extra oxidantto control (e.g., destroy) scent molecules in the environment. Duringthe pulses of the temporary boost mode, the increased amount of oxidantmay be relative to an amount oxidant emission that was selectedresponsive to the conditional inputs. Accordingly, the oxidant output ofthe temporary boost mode may be relative to the output parametersselected responsive to local conditions. The temporary boost mode may beactivated by the remote control 180, such as responsive to the behaviorof an animal indicating that the animal is detecting a scent of theuser, or responsive to a user determining that the level of oxidantoutput is insufficient to control an amount of scent in an environment(e.g., when a user is sweating).

In examples, the operational programs may include more than one standardmode, such as a standard indoor mode and standard outdoor mode. In suchexamples, the standard indoor mode may include a decrease in outputparameters over the standard outdoor mode, such as decreases of the samemagnitude of the increases disclosed above for the temporary boost mode.For example, the standard indoor mode may include at least a 5% loweroxidant output than the standard outdoor mode, such as 5% to 20%, 20% to40%, 5% to 10%, 5% to 15%, 10% to 20%, less than 20% or less than 30%less than the oxidant output of the standard outdoor mode. The standardindoor mode may include pulsatile operation as disclosed herein.Accordingly, a single scent control device may be pre-programmed withstandard operational modes for both indoor environments (e.g., a huntingblind or a room in a building) and outdoor environments (e.g., thefield).

In some examples, the operational programs may include operationalprograms which include output parameters that vary based upon a time ofday. For example, an operational program may include output parameterswhich take into account lower temperatures in the morning and highertemperatures as the day progresses, varying the amount of oxidantemitted based upon the time of day and the associated local conditions.

The operational instructions or programs (e.g., computer programproduct) including the standard operational modes and temporary boostmodes may be stored in a memory or storage device within the controller120. The operational programs may be accessed and executed by aprocessor within the controller 120. Embodiments of controllers aredescribed in more detail below.

The one or more selectors 130 are operably coupled to the controller 120for inputting one or more conditional inputs of local conditions of theportable oxidant source into the controller 120. In examples, the one ormore selectors 130 include a plurality of direct inputs coupled to theportable oxidant source. The direct inputs may be selector dials,toggles, levers, digital inputs, or any other means of inputting a valuefor a conditional input into the device 100 (e.g., the controller 120).Each of the plurality of direct inputs may correspond to one of the oneor more conditional inputs such as a wind speed conditional input, anelevation conditional input, a barometric pressure conditional input, arelative humidity conditional input, a temperature conditional input, oran indoor conditional input, etc. For example, the one or more selectors130 may include a direct input (e.g., dial) for each of the conditionalinputs (e.g., local conditions). In such examples, the scent controldevice 100 may include a dial for each local condition, such as windspeed, elevation, barometric pressure, relative humidity, temperature,or an indoor or outdoor conditional input.

In examples, the one or more selectors 130 may include a digitalinterface (e.g., a touch screen, a digital readout, one or more buttons,etc.) for inputting the local conditions as conditional inputs. Forexample, each conditional input may have a dedicated digital interface.In examples, a single digital interface may accept each of theconditional inputs, such as via programming which allows a user totoggle through the conditional inputs to change the values thereof. Forexample, a user may toggle through weather data or location data inputsto provide conditional input values to one or more of the weather orlocation data inputs.

Each of the direct inputs may be located on the housing 170 such that auser may access the direct inputs. Accordingly, the selectors 130 may belocated on the scent control device to directly accept conditionalinput.

In examples, the one or more selectors 130 may include a data connection160 for a network device coupled to the portable oxidant source 110,such as via the controller 120. For example, the data connection 160 mayinclude one or more of a wired connection, a Bluetooth port, an infraredport, a radio frequency port, or a Wi-Fi port, operably coupled to thecontroller 120. The data connection 160 may be operably coupled to thecontroller 120 via a hardwired connection or another wireless connection(e.g., Bluetooth) to transmit conditional inputs or other inputs to thecontroller 120. In examples, the network connection may include ahardwired connection, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port,Firewire port, etc.

The one or more selectors 130 may include the data connection 160 for anetwork device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, GPS receiver, a watch, aremote computing device, etc.) coupled to the portable oxidant source(via the controller 120). In such examples, the network device hasaccess to location data for an area in which the scent control device100 (e.g., portable oxidant source 110) is located. For example, thenetwork device may include a smart phone or satellite phone connected toa server or computer with conditional inputs corresponding to thelocation of the network device or portable oxidant generator. Thelocation data may include GPS coordinates of the area in which theportable oxidant source or network device is disposed. The location datamay include one or more conditional inputs of the local conditionscorresponding to the GPS coordinates. For example, the location data mayinclude one or more of a wind speed conditional input, an elevationconditional inputs, a barometric pressure conditional input, a relativehumidity conditional input, a temperature conditional input, or anindoor conditional input, or any other conditional input correspondingto the GPS coordinates. Accordingly, the scent control device 100 mayautomatically access and provide conditional inputs corresponding to GPScoordinates of the device 100 to cause the portable oxidant source 110to selectively deliver oxidants at amounts that are effective to controlscents under the local conditions described by the conditional inputs.In examples, the one or more selectors 130 are implemented as hardware(e.g., dials, toggles, etc.), software (e.g., operational instructionsor portions thereof which accept values of conditional inputs), orfirmware.

The power supply 140 may be operably coupled to the portable oxidantsource, the controller 120, and the at least one fan 150, or any othercomponents of the scent control device 100. For example, the powersupply 140 may include one or more batteries (e.g. lithium-ion,nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, etc.) or portable chargers (e.g.,power banks). The one or more batteries may be rechargeable. Inexamples, the one or more batteries may be modular battery packs, whichmay be removed and replaced. In examples, the one or more batteries havea connection for charging, such as a connection for the portablecharger. In some examples, the power supply 140 may include a solar cellor a connection for a solar cell.

The power supply 140 may be a replaceable and rechargeable battery, suchas a 12 volt battery. The rechargeable battery may be a lithium ionbattery, lithium-ion polymer, a nickel-cadmium battery, nickel-metalhydride, lead acid, etc., batteries. The power supply 140 may include aplurality of rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable battery may be atleast a 1 volt battery, such as 1.5 volts to 3 volts, 3 volts to 6volts, 6 volts to 9 volts, 9 volts to 12 volts, 12 volts to 15 volts, 15volts to 24 volts, greater than 12 volts, less than 24 volts, or lessthan 15 volts.

The controller 120 may be operably coupled to the power supply 140 oreach component of the device 100, to selectively control the delivery ofpower to components of the device 100. For example, one or moreoperational programs may prescribe the amount and/or durations of powerdelivered to components of the device 100, such as the portable oxidantsource 110, the controller 120, or the fan 150. Additionally, the powersupply 140 may include a controller for controlling delivery ofelectrical biases therefrom.

In examples, the power supply 140 may include a cord or wired connectionfor connecting to a power outlet. For example, the power supply 140 mayinclude 110 volt, 220 volt, or similar connections. The cord may allowthe user to plug the scent control device 100 into a power outlet in aroom, an extension cord, or a power station or power bank (e.g., batterypack or bank). Accordingly, the power supply 140 may include a walloutlet, the extension cord, or a power station or power bank. Inexamples, the power supply 140 may include both a wired connection forcoupling to a power source and a battery pack. Accordingly, the scentcontrol device 100 may be run with our without battery power. Inexamples, the wired connection may be provided as a detachable powercord which may be removed from the scent control device 100. The wiredconnection may serve to recharge the battery pack and provide power tothe scent control device 100.

In examples, the at least one fan 150 is operably coupled to thecontroller 120 and positioned to propel oxidant produced in the portableoxidant source 110 away from the portable oxidant source 110. Inexamples, the scent control device 100 may include more than one fan,such as an intake fan, a cooling fan, an output fan, etc. Exemplary fansinclude microfans, centrifugal fans, cyclonic blowers, etc. Each fan 150may be operably coupled to the power supply 140 and the controller 120,to activate, adjust speed, and deactivate according to operationalinstructions. For example, an output fan may be disposed adjacent to theportable oxidant source to propel the oxidant therefrom. In examples, anintake fan is positioned in the device 100 adjacent to the portableoxidant source 110 to draw air therethrough. Such an intake fan mayprovide an increase in oxidant output (e.g., ozone) by drawing elementaloxygen through electrodes (e.g., corona discharge plate) of the portableoxidant source when compared to a portable oxidant source without a fan.The intake or an output fan may purge oxidant or move ambient airthrough the portable scent control device 100. For example, ozone mayremain on the corona discharge coils of a corona discharge ozonegenerator. In such examples, the ozone may degrade the coils if left inplace. Ozone degradation may cause the ozone generator to loseefficiency and drain the battery of the scent control device. A shortpurge with ambient air may help void the coils of any ozone afterproduction of ozone is halted. The intake or output fan(s) may remain inoperation for at least at least 1 second after the portable oxidantsource has ceased producing oxidant, such as 2 seconds to 2 minutes, 3seconds to 10 seconds, 5 seconds to 15 seconds, 10 seconds to 20seconds, 15 seconds to 30 seconds, 2 seconds to 30 seconds, 30 secondsto 1 minute, 1.5 minutes, 1.5 minutes to 2 minutes, less than 2 minutes,or less than 1 minute after the portable oxidant source has ceasedproducing oxidant. A cooling fan may be located in the device 100 tomove air across the portable oxidant source 110, the controller 120, thepower supply 140, or any other component of the scent control device 100effective to cool the component. Any of the fans 150 may be used to moveambient air through the portable oxidant source 110 such as to flushoxidant from the local environment or allow the oxidant to dissipate asit reacts with substances in the local environment. Such flushing may beused in pulses to limit the concentration of oxidant in an environmentsuch as an enclosed space (e.g., a container, a hunting blind, or aroom).

In examples, the at least one fan 150 may be a variable speed fan thatis controllable according to an operational program. For example, anoperational program corresponding to a first set of conditional inputsmay have a different (e.g., higher or lower) fan speed than a secondoperational program corresponding to a second set of conditional inputs.

One or more components of the scent control device 100 may be containedin housing 170. For example, each of the portable oxidant source, thecontroller, the power supply, the at least one fan, the data connection,or the one or more selectors may be disposed within or on the housing170. The housing 170 may be made of a polymer (e.g., high densitypolyethylene, high density polystyrene, or polycarbonate), a composite(e.g., fiberglass or carbon fiber), a metal (e.g., steel, aluminum,alloys), a ceramic or cermet, any other material capable of withstandingimpacts and preventing crushing of the contents of the housing 170, orcombinations of any of the foregoing.

In examples, the housing 170 includes a one or more discontinuitiesdefining air intakes, output ports (e.g., oxidant outlet port), ordevice ports (e.g., hole for selectors 130, hole for user interface,hole for electrical inputs, hole for battery port). For example, thehousing may include a hole positioned and sized to accommodate a batterytherein. In such examples, the power supply may include a replaceablebattery pack and the hole (e.g. port) may accommodate removal andreplacement of battery packs. In examples, the one or morediscontinuities define a grill for an air intake or an output port.

In examples, the scent control device 100 includes the remote control180 operably coupled thereto. The remote control 180 communicates to thedata connection 160 and controller 120 via wireless signals 182. Theremote control 180 is operably coupled to the controller 120 via thedata connection 160 which may include a Bluetooth transceiver, an RFtransceiver, or infrared transceiver to receive the wireless signals182. In examples, the wireless signals 182 from the remote control 180may initiate or terminate generation of oxidant, adjust an amount ofoxidant output from the portable oxidant source 110, input the one ormore conditional inputs, or initiate a temporary boost mode. Forexample, the remote control 180 may include one or more inputs, such asbuttons, switches, or toggles, for activating the scent control device100, deactivating the scent control device 100, selecting a mode ofoperation (e.g., standard indoor or outdoor), increasing or decreasingan output of the scent control device 100, entering one or moreconditional inputs into the controller 120, initiating a temporary boostmode, or directing any other operation of the scent control device 100.

In some examples, the portable scent control device 100 includes aportable ozone generator and a controller that is operably coupled toone or more remote networks for communicating conditional inputs to theportable scent control device via a remote input device. The portablescent control device 100 may be automatically controlled (e.g.,continuously, intermittently, or selectively) while a user is pursuinganimals in the field (e.g., hunting) or prior to deployment. The scentcontrol device 100 may be used in a system for automatically adjustingscent control delivery parameters according to local conditions of thescent control device 100. Such systems include remote computer networkconnections to provide conditional inputs corresponding to the localconditions.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a system 200 for controlling scent, accordingto at least some embodiments. The system 200 includes the scent controldevice 100 and a remote computing system 240 operably coupled thereto.The remote computing system 240 is operably coupled to the scent controldevice 100 (e.g., the controller 120 thereof) via a remote input device210. The remote input device 210 is operably coupled to the remotecomputing system 240 via one or more of a satellite network 220 or acellular network 230. The remote input device 210 may receiveconditional inputs such as GPS coordinates of the remote input device210 or the scent control device 100 (or GPS coordinates of an intendeduse location) and communicate the conditional inputs to the remotecomputing system 240. The remote computing system 240 provides access to(e.g., connection to weather service internet site or database) or adatabase of local conditions corresponding to the conditional inputs(e.g., GPS coordinates, elevation, etc.). The remote computing system240 communicates one or more of conditional inputs (corresponding to theGPS coordinates, elevation, etc.) or an operational programcorresponding to the conditional inputs (of the location of the GPScoordinates, elevation, etc.) to the remote input device 210, responsiveto receiving the initial conditional input from the remote input device210. The remote input device 210 communicates the conditional inputs tothe controller 120 (e.g., via the one or more selectors 130) or theselected operational program to the controller 120 (e.g., via the dataconnection 160). Accordingly, the system 200 may automatically adjustthe output parameters of the scent control device 100 to selectivelyprovide an effective amount of oxidant to an environment to controlscent(s) to undetectable levels at any location or under any localconditions.

As described above, the portable scent control device 100 includes theportable oxidant source 110 (e.g., oxidant generator), the controller120, the one or more selectors 130, the power supply 140, the at leastone fan 150, the data connection 160, the housing 170, and the remotecontrol 180. In some examples, one or more of the above-noted componentsmay be omitted from the scent control device 100. For example, the scentcontrol device may not include the remote control 180. The controller120 is operably coupled to the portable oxidant source 110 (e.g.,oxidant generator) and the controller 120 includes one or moreoperational programs stored therein to control output of an oxidant(e.g., ozone) from the portable scent control device 100. Each of theone or more operational programs includes oxidant output parametersassociated with a combination of one or more conditional inputs. Asdisclosed herein, the portable scent control device 100 includes one ormore selectors 130 operably coupled to the controller 120 to receive oneor more conditional inputs. For example, the one or more selectorsoperably are coupled to the controller 120 for inputting one or moreconditional inputs corresponding to local conditions of the portablescent control device, into the controller 120. As noted above, the localconditions may include weather, elevation, model of portable oxidantsource or scent control device, or functional condition of the portablescent control device (e.g., operational efficiency of one or morecomponents of the scent control device, such as an oxidant generator).

The portable scent control device 100 includes the data connection 160(e.g., Bluetooth, Radio Frequency, or infrared connection) forcommunicating with remote devices such as the remote control 180 orremote input device 210. In some examples, the one or more selectors 130may include as a component thereof, the remote input device 210. Thatis, the remote input device 210 may be used to provide the conditionalinputs to the controller 120, such as directly through a connection 205to the data connection 160.

The remote input device 210 may include a cellular phone, a tablet, acomputer (e.g., laptop computer), GPS receiver, mobile broadband modem,a watch, a proprietary remote control, or any other device with hardwareand programming to communicate with a remote computing system 240, suchas via a cellular network connection 217 (e.g., GSM, CDMA, LTE, AMPS,WiMAX, or any other wireless data network), satellite connection 215,Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, infrared, or any other wireless data connection. Inexamples, the remote input device 210 includes a cellular phone orwatch, with global positioning system capabilities, operably coupled tothe one or more selectors 130 and the cellular phone or watch isoperably coupled to the remote computing system 240 via one or more ofWi-Fi, cellular network, Bluetooth, or satellite network connections.

In examples, the remote input device 210 is equipped to communicate withone or more of the satellite network 220 or a mobile device network(e.g., cellular network 230). For example, the remote input device 210may be equipped to communicate with a plurality of satellites todetermine the GPS coordinates of the remote input device 210. The remoteinput device 210 may include programming and hardware to determine theGPS coordinates of the remote input device 210, the scent control device100, or a location of intended use of the scent control device 100, suchas software for fetching GPS coordinates. For example, the remote inputdevice 210 may include a mobile phone containing an application fordetermining or receiving the GPS coordinates of the mobile phone. Inexamples, the remote input device 210 includes a watch with globalpositioning system capabilities, operably coupled to the one or moreselectors 130 and the remote computing system 240 via one or more ofWi-Fi, cellular network, Bluetooth, or satellite network connections.The watch may communicate with one or more global positioning satellitesto obtain the current GPS coordinates of the remote input device 210(watch), the user, and the scent control device 100. The watch maycommunicate with the global positioning satellites, one or more cellularnetworks, remote computing systems, the controller 120, the one or moreselectors 130, and the data connection 160 as disclosed herein for anyof the remote input devices 210. The remote input device 210 includes awireless (e.g., cellular) network interface to communicate with awireless network. The remote input device 210 may initiate or terminategeneration of oxidant, adjust an amount of oxidant output from theportable scent control device, input the one or more conditional inputs,or initiate a temporary boost mode, by communicating data such asconditional inputs or operational programs between the remote computingsystem 240 and the controller 120. In examples, the remote input device210 may be a remote control, such as the remote control 180 disclosedabove. In such examples, the remote control 180 may include hardware andsoftware adapted to allow the remote control 180 to perform thefunctions of the remote input device 210. In some examples, the system200 may include both of the remote control 180 and the remote inputdevice 210.

In some examples, the at least some of the functionalities of the remoteinput device 210 may be built directly into the scent control device 100such as in the controller 120 and data connection 160. For example, thecontroller 120 may be programmed and equipped to communicate with thecellular network 230, the satellite network 220, and the remotecomputing device 240 such as via the connections disclosed below. Insuch examples, the scent control device 100 may directly communicatewith the satellite or cellular networks (and the remote computingsystem). For example, the scent control device 100 may receive locationinformation from global positioning satellites, communicate the same tothe remote computing device, receive operational instructions orconditional inputs from the remote computing device, and automaticallyadjust the operational programs to selectively deliver oxidant, allwithout the separate remote input device 210. In such examples, theremote control 180 may be used to initiate and terminate operation ofthe scent control device 100 or the temporary boost mode, or selectbetween standard indoor mode and standard outdoor mode.

In examples (not shown), the system 200 may include a plurality of scentcontrol devices 100. In such examples, a single remote control 180 orremote input device 210 may control one or more operations of theplurality of scent control devices 100. In such examples, the singleremote control 180 or remote input device 210 may be equipped andprogrammed to initiate and terminate operation of the scent controldevices, automatically control the scent control devices, and initiateor terminate the temporary boost mode of the plurality of scent controldevices 100. For example, the remote control 180 or remote input device210 may have a selector to enable control of any combination of theplurality of scent control devices 100. For example, the remote inputdevice 210 or remote control 180 may have a range selector orradiofrequency selector for sending instructions in a selected range orselected frequencies corresponding to one or more of the plurality ofscent control devices 100. In examples, the plurality of scent controldevices 100 may each communicate and receive conditional inputs oroperational instructions from a single remote input device 210.

The remote computing system 240 is operably coupled to the cellularnetwork 230 or the satellite network 220, such as through satelliteconnections 215 and 225. The remote computing system 240 includes one ormore remote computing devices, such as servers, desktop computers,laptop computers, or groups thereof. The remote computing system 240includes one or more computing systems, networks, or databases withaccess to current or forecast weather data, such as on the internet. Inexamples, the remote computing system 240 may include one or morecomputing devices (e.g., servers) which store local condition data forlocations in the world. The one or more computing devices may fetch orcontinuously replace the local condition data from trusted sources suchas the U.S. National Weather Service. The replacement or fetching may beperiodic or on demand responsive to receiving conditional inputs (e.g.,GPS coordinates) from the remote input device 210. One or moreoperational programs (e.g., software) stored in the remote computingsystem 240 may direct the replacement or fetching according to computerexecutable operational instructions therein.

The local condition data may be stored in the remote computing system240 as conditional inputs. The remote computing system 240 maycommunicate each of the conditional inputs to the controller 120, suchas via the remote input device 210 and the selectors 130, via thecellular network connections 217 and 235 or the satellite connections215 and 225. In such examples, the controller 120 may receive theconditional inputs from the one or more selectors 130 or from the remoteinput device 210. The controller 120 may automatically select anoperational program stored therein corresponding to the combination ofthe (current) conditional inputs to output the oxidant at outputparameters providing a selected oxidant output rate corresponding tolocal conditions. As the selected rate corresponds to the combination ofconditional inputs, the selected oxidant output rate is adapted to causethe portable oxidant source to output enough oxidant (e.g., ozone) todestroy or react enough scent molecules in the vicinity of the scentcontrol device to render any otherwise recognizable scentsunrecognizable to the sense of smell of an animal (e.g., deer or human).Accordingly, the scent control system 200 may selectively alter anoutput of oxidant to accommodate different local conditions, such asweather, elevations, or functional status of the scent control device.

In examples, the remote computing system 240 may receive the globalpositioning coordinates from a cellular phone, access a database ofcurrent conditional inputs available on the database for the location ofthe global positioning coordinates, and communicate the currentconditional inputs to the cellular phone. The cellular phone (e.g.,remote input device 210) communicates the current conditional inputs tothe one or more selectors 130 and the controller 120. The controller 120receives the current conditional inputs from the remote input device 210or one or more selectors 130 and determines the correspondingoperational program and initiates operation of the same. Accordingly,the communication of the conditional inputs from the remote computingsystem to the one or more selectors 130 is effective to initiate aselected operational program stored in the controller corresponding tothe current conditional inputs to control production of the portableoxidant at a selected rate. In some examples, the communication of theconditional inputs from the remote computing system to the one or moreselectors 130 is effective to select or load an operational programstored in the controller, and the portable scent control device mayinitiate said operational program upon actuation by the user (e.g.,turning the device to active mode or initiating the operational programmanually or via a remote device).

In some examples, the remote computing system 240 may receive as inputs,one or more of the GPS coordinates of the portable scent control device100 or remote input device 210, a model of the portable scent controldevice 100 (e.g., or portable oxidant source 110 therein), or thefunctional status of the portable scent control device 100. The remotecomputing system may include operational programs stored therein. Theremote computing system 240 may receive the conditional inputs andresponsive thereto, automatically select an operational programcorresponding to one or more of the conditional inputs or the localconditions corresponding thereto (e.g., local conditions of GPScoordinates or functional condition of the scent control device 100).For example, the remote computing system may access a database or sourceof current conditional inputs corresponding to the local conditions atthe location of the GPS coordinates and correlate the same to a selectedoperational program stored therein that is composed to cause theportable scent control device to produce oxidant at a selected rate. Theremote computing system 240 may communicate the selected operationalprogram with the remote input device 210 via the cellular networkconnections 217 and 235, or satellite connections 215 and 225. Theremote computing system 240 may communicate, with the remote inputdevice 210, a program code identifying the corresponding operationalprogram stored in the controller 120. In such examples, the transmissionof data may be minimized which may be particularly useful where cellularnetwork connections may be limited and prevent or hinder transfers oflarge amounts of data, such as operational programs. The remote inputdevice 210 may communicate the operational program or program codeidentifying the operational program with the controller 120, such as viathe remote connection 205 to data connection 160, effective to initiateproduction of the portable oxidant at the selected rate. The selectedrate is effective to cause enough oxidant, such as ozone, to be emittedunder current local conditions to at least partially dissociate scentmolecules emanating from a user sufficient to prevent an animal in thelocation of the portable scent control device from detecting a scent ofthe user or the user's equipment.

The remote computing system 240 is operably coupled (e.g., indirectly)to the one or more selectors 130 such as via the cellular network 230 orthe satellite network 220. For example, the remote computing system isoperably coupled to the cellular network 230, which is operably coupledto the remote input device 210 which may form part of, or is operablycoupled to, the one or more selectors 130 in communication with thecontroller 120. Accordingly, the remote computing system 240 isindirectly coupled to the controller 120 of the portable scent controldevice 100. Additional wireless connections between the remote inputdevice 210 and the controller 120 may be included, such as RF, Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, or infrared connections (e.g., receivers, transmitters, ortransceivers).

In examples, the output of the scent control device 100 may becontinuously controlled or adjusted throughout a time period (e.g., day)via the remote input device 210 and the remote computing system 240 asdisclosed herein. For example, the remote input device 210 mayautomatically and continuously (e.g., intermittently) communicate thelocation or local conditions around the scent control device 100 to theremote computing device 240 during the time period. The remote computingsystem 240 may automatically and continuously communicate currentconditional inputs (or an operational program corresponding thereto) tothe scent control device 100, such as via the remote input device 210.The remote input device 210 may continuously and automaticallycommunicate the current conditional inputs (or an operational programcorresponding thereto) to the scent control device 100 during the timeperiod. The time period may be all of the time that the scent controldevice is active or may include only the time during which the portablescent control device is in an operational mode (e.g., while an operationmode is engaged). Accordingly, the system may self-regulate 200production of oxidant according to local conditions of the scent controldevice 100 without continuous input from the user. In some examples, thesystem 200 may be operated only responsive to commands or requestsissued by the user via the controller 120 or remote input device 210.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the portable scent control device 100 duringuse, according to some embodiments. During use, the portable scentcontrol device 100 may be used to cover, destroy, react, degrade, alter,or otherwise obfuscate one or more scents. For example, the portablescent control device 100 may be used to limit scents 304 synonymous withhumans in the field, such as to hide the scents 304 of one or more of aperson, their possessions, or their equipment from an animal 320. Inexamples, the one or more scents includes scents 304 that are synonymouswith humans, such as body odors (e.g., thiol-containing excretions,carboxylic acid-containing excretions, sulfanylhexanol-containingexcretions), breath odors (thiol-containing materials,sulfide-containing materials, etc.), perfumes, deodorants, colognes,equipment odors (e.g., detergents, fabric softeners, etc.), orderivatives (e.g., reaction or degradation products) of any of theforegoing. Animals 320 may include deer, elk, moose, antelope, goats,sheep, dogs, coyote, wolf, bear, cats, or any other animal. Althoughanimals have different abilities to detect scents, the devices, systems,and methods therein allow a user to selectively hide their scent fromany animal in any location or conditions. For example, the selectors andconditional inputs herein may include a selection for a type of animalpursued by a hunter, photographer, or researcher.

As the user 302 passes through or stays in a location, scents 304 (e.g.,molecules) indicative of a human presence, possessions of a human, orequipment of a human emanate from the user 302. Some scent molecules(e.g., volatile organic compounds) have chemical structures that arerecognizable (through the sense of smell) to animals as being synonymouswith human presence. As these scent molecules are dispersed into theenvironment, such as by the wind or the user's movement through theenvironment, an animal may be able to detect said scent 304 via sense ofsmell even from long distances. For example, wind may carry the scent304 downwind from the user 302 toward the animal 320.

As depicted, the portable scent control device 100 may be mounted nearthe user 302, such as in a tree 330. For example, the portable scentcontrol device 100 may be mounted in the tree 330 that a user 302 issitting near or sitting in. The portable scent control device 100 may bemounted in a tree stand or blind. In examples, the portable scentcontrol device 100 may be mounted above the user 302, at or near headlevel of the user 302, behind the user 302, or even in front of the user302. The scent control device 100 produces oxidant 310, such as ozone.The scent control device 100 produces the oxidant 310 in a curtain,cone, or cloud. As the scents 304 contact the oxidant 310, the oxidant310 oxidizes the scent molecules in the scent 304. The portable scentcontrol device 100 may be positioned to allow the scent 304 to passthrough a curtain of oxidant 310 effective to hide the presence of theuser 302 from the sense of smell of the animal 320. The oxidationchanges the chemical structure of the scent molecules via reactionstherewith to oxidized scent molecules providing an oxidized scent 314(e.g., oxidized volatile organic compounds).

The oxidized scents 314 are not recognizable to animals as beingsynonymous with human presence. Field testing has shown animals do notbecome alarmed when detecting the oxidized scents 314. Additionally,animals do not become alarmed when detecting oxidants 310, such asozone. Rather, these are foreign scents, that field testing shows, theanimals do not associate with humans or any other alarming presence.Accordingly, the devices, systems, and methods herein may change thebehavior of animals by changing (e.g., oxidizing) the scent molecules toan unrecognizable derivative allowing the animal to remain in a relaxedstate when they normally would not if the scent molecules would not havebeen oxidized. Additionally, an animal that is showing visible signsthat it is detecting a scent that it associates with danger may becalmed by outputting oxidant sufficient to eliminate or minimize (e.g.,oxidize) the specific scent the animal is detecting. Such an outputincludes production of oxidant at a base rate or a flood of oxidant in atemporary boost mode as disclosed herein.

The portable scent control device 100 may be automatically adjusted tooutput enough oxidant to effectively hide the scents 304 from the animal320 as disclosed herein, such as via conditional inputs to selectivelycontrol the amount of oxidant responsive to local conditions. Theconditional inputs may be entered into one or more selectors on thescent control device 100 by the user, or automatically via a remoteinput device 210 (e.g., cellular phone) at the direction of the user302.

In some examples, one or more scent control devices may be disposedaround the user 302, such as behind (e.g., upwind) from the user 302,between the user 302 (e.g., downwind) and an animal 320, or behind ananimal 320. In such examples, the multiple scent control devices maydegrade, react with, mask, or otherwise eliminate scent molecules thatanimals or humans recognize as being scents that are synonymous withhumans, over a wide area surrounding the user 302. Each of the one ormore scent control devices 100 may be part of a single scent controlsystem or may be an individual controlled scent control system. Eachportable scent control device of a plurality of scent control devicesmay be operated in unison with each of the plurality of scent controldevices (e.g., all according to a common operational program) or eachmay be controlled independently such as via the remote input device.

In some examples, one or more scent control devices may be carried bythe user 302, such as in or on a pack carried by the user 302. In suchexamples, the pack (e.g., backpack) may be sized and shaped to allow theportable scent control device to output oxidant onto the user, such asonto a user's head, over a user's head, onto a user's torso, behind theuser 302, or in front of the user 302. Such packs may include theKinetic Pack (from Ozonics LLC of Mason City, Iowa, U.S.A.) or the like.In some examples, the scent control device may have one or more tubesextending from an oxidant output, wherein the outlets of the tubes arepositionable to deliver oxidant to one or more areas of a user, such asthe head, the armpits, the back, the torso, or any other area of a user.In some examples, the pack may include a sling or lanyard for wearingaround the head or shoulders.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of different locations havingdifferent local conditions, according to at least some embodiments. FIG.4 depicts the scent control devices 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c, atdifferent locations. The scent control devices 100 a-100 c or systemsassociated therewith may be similar or identical to any of the scentcontrol devices or scent control systems disclosed herein, in one ormore aspects. Each of the scent control devices 100 a-100 c may beidentical to each other, with the only operational difference being theoperational program automatically selected according to the combinationof conditional inputs necessitated by the local conditions at eachlocation. The locations A, B, and C each have unique local conditions.

A single conventional scent control device operating at a single outputlevel may not be able to provide oxidant output levels sufficient tocontrol scents in the differing local conditions at locations A, B, andC. The scent control devices 100 a-100 c and systems associatedtherewith selectively control (e.g., adjust) the output parameters ofthe devices to output enough oxidant to effectively reduce, degrade,react with, or otherwise destroy one or more scents (e.g., scentmolecules synonymous with a human or object).

For example, location A is at sea level, has a relative humiditysynonymous with being adjacent to the ocean (e.g., high relativehumidity), is not windy, and may be relatively hot compared to locationsB and C. In such examples, the portable scent control device 100 a orsystem associated therewith may output oxidant at a level commensuratewith the local conditions at location A. For example, the conditionalinputs for the above-noted local conditions may require less oxidantoutput due to a lack of wind, less oxidant output due to low elevation,more oxidant output due to high temperature, and more oxidant output dueto relatively high humidity, all relative to a base oxidant output rateof the scent control device 100 a.

Location B is at an intermediate elevation above sea level (e.g., 2000,3000, 5000, etc., feet above sea level); has stormy weather with winds,precipitation, and the relatively humidity associated therewith (e.g.,high relative humidity, above 50%); has barometric pressure associatedwith stormy weather (e.g., relatively low barometric pressure); and maybe relatively colder than location A. In such examples, the portablescent control device 100 b or system associated therewith may outputoxidant at a level commensurate with the local conditions at location B.For example, the conditional inputs for the above-noted local conditionsmay require more oxidant output due to wind and precipitation, moreoxidant output due to a relatively higher elevation, more oxidant outputdue to relatively low barometric pressure, and more oxidant output dueto relatively high humidity, all relative to the base oxidant outputrate of the scent control device 100 b.

Location C is at a high elevation (e.g., at least 7000, 8000, 10,000,12,000, etc., feet above sea level), has winds, has relatively lowhumidity (e.g., low relative humidity, below 20%), and may be relativelycolder than locations A and B. In such examples, the portable scentcontrol device 100 c or system associated therewith may output oxidantat a level commensurate with the local conditions at location C. Forexample, the conditional inputs for the above-noted local conditions mayrequire more oxidant output due to winds, more oxidant output due to ahigher elevation, less oxidant output due to relatively low humidity,and less oxidant output due to relatively low temperatures, all relativeto the base oxidant output rate of the scent control device 100 c.

Further local conditions may be taken into account by the scent controldevices or systems, such as model of the scent control device (e.g.,maximum outputs), functional status of the scent control device, type ofanimal from which a scent is being hidden, etc.

In examples, the scent control devices 100 a-100 c may be the samedevice used in each of locations A, B, and C, but at different outputparameters. In some examples, each of the scent control devices 100a-100 c may be different devices (e.g., of the same model), used atdifferent output parameters than the other devices 100 a, 100 b, or 100c. In any case, the portable scent control devices 100 a-100 c or scentcontrol systems associated therewith may be used to automatically selectand initiate production of oxidant at output parameters corresponding tothe unique local conditions of the location of the scent control devices100 a-100 c. The scent control devices 100 a-100 c may be operated as,and portions of, a scent control system, such as any of the scentcontrol systems disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of different environments at the samelocation each having different local conditions, according to at leastsome embodiments. FIG. 5 depicts the scent control devices 100 d and 100e, in different environments at a single location. The scent controldevices 100 d or 100 e or systems associated therewith may be similar oridentical to any of the scent control devices or scent control systemsdisclosed herein, in one or more aspects. The environments at points Dand E each have unique local conditions associated therewith. Forexample, the environment at point D is exposed to the elements which asshown may include weather, such as wind, temperature, humidity, andprecipitation. The environment at point E may be an indoor environmentinside of a building 510 which is controlled in one or more of humidityand temperature, and where wind is not a concern. In such examples, thescent control device may be used to control scents identifiable byhumans or animals. For example, the scent control device 100 d maycontrol scents emitted from an exhaust or garbage collection area, whilethe scent control device 100 e may control scents indoors, such as thesmell of smoke from a cooking area, cigarettes, cigars, etc., the smellof a bathroom, pet smells in a living area, the smells emanating from akitchen or garbage collection area, etc.

As noted with respect to locations A-C (FIG. 4), point D may be exposedto the elements. The scent control device 100 d or system associatedtherewith may therefore automatically select (responsive to conditionalinputs entered by the system or at the one or more selectors) anoperational program that accounts for local conditions, such as weather,elevation, model of scent control device, or functional status of thescent control device as disclosed herein.

In indoor environments such as at point E in the building 510, theportable scent control device 100 e and system associated therewith maybe operated in a standard indoor mode. In examples, the standard indoormode may be activated by a conditional input indicating that the localconditions include deployment indoors, an input on the device, or aninput via the remote input device or remote control. The conditionalinputs may also indicate a square footage or volume of the indoor areathe scent control device is deployed in. Accordingly, the outputparameters provided in the operational programs corresponding to indoorlocation of a certain volume may account for a volume of area to betreated with the oxidant. While at the same location as point D, thelocal conditions at point E may differ greatly from those at point D.The indoor mode may include an operational program that has outputparameters that direct the portable oxidant source of scent controldevice to operate in a pulsatile manner, or a lower output, to ensurethat levels of oxidant (e.g., ozone) do not exceed safe levels for humanor animal exposure within the indoor environment while still providingeffective control of scents to below perceptible levels. For example,the standard indoor mode may have lower oxidant output than the standardoutdoor mode as explained herein. The standard indoor mode may includepulsatile operation where the oxidant is produced for a limited amountof time followed by flushing ambient air for a limited amount of time,each being repeated multiple times, as disclosed herein. By providing anamount of oxidant responsive to local conditions and in the pulsatilemanner disclosed herein, the scent control devices, systems, and methodsherein provide and maintain the concentration of the oxidant in theindoor space at a safe level while still providing effective scentcontrol. Safe levels may be set in the operational program based onhealth guidelines (e.g., governmental recommendations). For example,safe ozone exposure levels may include up to 0.2 ppm for no more than 2hours exposure, up to 0.1 ppm for 8 hours per day exposure with lightexertion, up to 0.08 ppm for 8 hours per day exposure with moderateexertion, or 0.05 ppm for 8 hours per day exposure with heavy exertion.Accordingly, the scent control device 100 e may safely control scentsindoors responsive to receiving conditional inputs indicating that thescent control device 100 e is indoors (e.g., via the one or moreselectors).

The scent control devices 100 d and 100 e may be operated as, andportions of, a scent control system, such as any of the scent controlsystems disclosed herein.

In some examples, a microenvironment may be created to treat materialsto remove scents therefrom. For example, a portable scent control device100 may be operably coupled to an enclosure (e.g. space smaller than aroom) to eliminate scents from objects and/or materials therein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system 600 for controlling scents ofobjects, according to at least some embodiments. The system 600 includesthe scent control device 100 and a container 630 fluidly coupled to thescent control device 100. One or more objects 640 held within thecontainer 630 may be treated with oxidant(s) 610 from the scent controldevice 100 to remove any scents therefrom.

The portable scent control device 100 may be part of a scent controlsystem 200, as disclosed herein. The portable scent control device 100may be fluidly coupled to the container 630 via one or more conduits,ports, or other attachments. In some examples, the portable scentcontrol device may be disposed within the container 630, or attachedthereto at an oxidant port for receiving oxidant 610 from the scentcontrol device 100.

The container 630 defines an interior region 635 for holding the one ormore objects 640 therein. The container may be a bag, a box, a case, acooler, or any other enclosure suitable to contain objects. In someexamples, the container 630 may be substantially air tight, except for aconnection to the scent control device 100. In some examples, thecontainer 630 may be porous to allow some gases to escape from theinterior region 635. The container 630 may include one or more ports toallow some gases to escape from the interior region 635.

In some examples, the container is made of one or more of a polymer, afabric, a metal, wood, or oxidation resistant coatings on any of theforegoing. Suitable polymers may include any polymer, such as high orlow density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene,polystyrene, or polyvinyl chloride. In some examples, suitable polymersinclude oxidant resistant polymers such as polysulfones, polyether etherketone, polysiloxanes, etc. Suitable metals may include aluminum, tin,copper, zinc, iron, or alloys including combinations of any of theforegoing metals. Suitable fabrics may include natural fabrics such ascotton or wool, or may include synthetic fabrics such as polyester, aNylon (e.g., polycaprolactum), polyurethane, or any other fabric madefrom synthetic materials. In some examples, the container 630 mayinclude the DRI-WASH Descenting System from Ozonics LLC, of Mason City,Iowa, U.S.A, or bags that are similar thereto.

Conditional inputs include an indication that the oxidant is being inputinto a container, the volume of container, state of materials in thecontainer (e.g., wet fabric), humidity, temperature, elevation, etc. Theone or more operational programs that provide the output parameters forthe scent control device include operational programs specificallytailored to treat objects, such as clothing, equipment, etc., with theoxidant at a level selected to eliminate scents to below the perceptiblelevel of a human or animal, all within a defined volume in the container630. It is known that oxidants may be degrade some materials, such asfabrics. The one or more operational programs may provide (e.g., directthe output of oxidant) levels of oxidant suitable to eliminate thescents yet still low enough to eliminate or at least limit degradationof the objects in the container 630 due to oxidation. For example, theoperational programs for controlling or treating the scents of objectswithin the container may include operating the oxidant generator for ashort time (e.g., at least 1 minute, 2 minutes to 5 minutes, 5 minutesto 10 minutes, etc.) to ensure that the objects, such as clothes in thecontainer, do not degrade due to too much oxidation. In such examples,the on-time (e.g., amount of time that the oxidant is output from theportable oxidant source) may be followed by an off-time circulation ofambient air through the container 630. The off-time circulation may beaccomplished by (the controller) executing operational instructions todirect the portable oxidant source to terminate operation while anintake fan runs or continues to run to circulate ambient air through thescent control device 100 into the interior region 635. The off-timecirculation may be at least 1 minute, such as 1 minute to 10 minutes, 1minute to 3 minutes, 3 minutes to 7 minutes, or 5 minutes to 10minutes). In some examples, the operational program corresponding to theconditional input of eliminating scents in the container 630 may includemultiple on-time and off-time cycles, in any combination of durations.For example, an operational program may include an on-time of at leastone minute, followed by an off-time of at least one minute, followed byanother on-time of at least one minute. Additional off-time and on-timecycles may be included in the operational program. In examples, theon-time and off-time durations or associated oxidant outputs may besupplemented or altered based on other local conditions provided to thecontroller as conditional inputs.

Objects 640 that may be treated to remove scent(s) therefrom includeclothes, linens, towels, medical equipment and clothing (e.g., scrubs),hunting equipment, fishing equipment, packs, household items, or anyother objects that from which a person wishes to remove scents and/orkill bacteria.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method 700 of selectively emitting scentcontrol material responsive to local conditions of a scent controldevice, according to at least some embodiments. The method 700 includesthe act 710 of inputting one or more conditional inputs into a systemincluding a portable scent control device. The method 700 includes theact 720 of automatically selecting an operational program responsive toreceiving the one or more conditional inputs, wherein the operationalprogram includes one or more selected oxidant output parameterscorresponding to the one or more conditional inputs, and the one or moreselected oxidant output parameters are effective to cause the portablescent control device to emit oxidant at a selected oxidant output rate.The method 700 includes the act 730 of automatically adjusting one ormore output parameters of the portable scent control device to the oneor more selected oxidant output parameters. The method 700 includes theact 740 of outputting the oxidant from the portable scent control deviceat the selected oxidant output rate. Accordingly, the method 700 mayselectively control, eliminate, or mask scents in an environmentresponsive to local conditions. The method 700 may include more or feweracts than the acts 710-740. For example, the method 700 may not includethe act 710.

The method 700 includes the act 710 of inputting one or more conditionalinputs into a system including a portable scent control device. Thesystem may be the system 200 (FIG. 2) disclosed herein, or any otherscent control system disclosed herein. The portable scent control devicemay be the portable scent control device 100 (FIG. 1), or any otherportable scent control device disclosed herein. In examples, the systemor portable scent control device may include any components of any ofthe systems or scent control devices disclosed herein. For example, thesystem or portable scent control device may include the one or moreselectors as disclosed herein. The one or more selectors may receive theconditional inputs from a user or remote input device.

Inputting one or more conditional inputs into a system including aportable scent control device may include manually inputting one or moreconditional inputs into the selectors located on the portable scentcontrol device. For example, inputting one or more conditional inputsinto a system including a portable scent control device may includemanually inputting one or more of a wind speed, an elevation, abarometric pressure, a relative humidity, a temperature, a functionalstatus of the portable scent control device, or indoor location of anarea where the portable scent control device is located, directly into acontroller of the portable scent control device via a user interfacethereon.

Inputting one or more conditional inputs into a system including aportable scent control device may include inputting one or moreconditional inputs into the selectors of the portable scent controldevice via a remote input device (FIG. 2). Inputting one or moreconditional inputs into a system including a portable scent controldevice may include transmitting the one or more conditional inputs intothe portable scent control device via the remote input device over awireless connection therebetween. The wireless connection may be aBluetooth connection, a cellular connection, an infrared connection, aradio frequency connection, or any other wireless connection. Each ofthe conditional inputs may be transmitted to the controller of theportable scent control device via the one or more selectors and the dataconnection. In examples, the one or more selectors may be implemented asinputs for an operational program (e.g., software) composed to select anoperational program for outputting oxidant corresponding to conditionalinputs of local conditions.

The one or more conditional inputs may include one or more of any of theconditional inputs disclosed herein, in any combination. In examples,inputting one or more conditional inputs into a system including aportable scent control device may include inputting one or more of awind speed, an elevation, a barometric pressure, a relative humidity, atemperature, a functional status of the portable scent control device,an animal that the scent is being controlled to deceive, or indoorlocation of an area where the portable scent control device is located,into the system. In examples, inputting one or more conditional inputsinto a system including a portable scent control device includesinputting a global positioning location of the portable scent controldevice to a remote computing device of the system (e.g., of the remotecomputing system) via a remote input device such as one or more of asatellite phone, a cellular phone, a global positioning system receiver,or a remote control, operably coupled to the remote computing device. Inexamples, inputting one or more conditional inputs into a systemincluding a portable scent control device includes inputting a locationof the portable scent control device such as indoors or outdoors, avolume of an indoor environment, a location of the portable scentcontrol device in or fluidly coupled to a container, volume of thecontainer, or a type of object in the container.

The one or more selectors communicate the conditional inputs to thecontroller to cause the controller to automatically select theoperational program corresponding to the local conditions described bythe conditional inputs.

In examples, inputting one or more conditional inputs into a systemincluding a portable scent control device may include transmitting GPScoordinates or any other local conditions (e.g., indoor or outdoorlocation) to a remote computing device. In such examples, the method 700may also include receiving or determining the GPS coordinates (or otherlocal conditions) of the remote input device or portable scent controldevice with the remote input device. The remote input device maytransmit the GPS coordinates or other local conditions to the remotecomputing device via a satellite connection, cellular networkconnection, or any other data connection. The remote computing devicemay automatically correlate the local conditions such as GPS location toconditional inputs of the local conditions at the GPS location. Thelocal conditions may include any of the local conditions disclosedherein such as one or more of weather conditions, elevation, etc. Theremote computing system may communicate the conditional inputs or anoperational program corresponding thereto back to the remote inputdevice (e.g., cellular phone). The remote input device may communicatethe conditional inputs or operational program with the controller asdisclosed herein. Accordingly, inputting one or more conditional inputsinto a system including a portable scent control device may includeobtaining conditional inputs from a remote source based at least on alocation of the portable scent control device and inputting thoseconditional inputs into the portable scent control device (e.g., viaselectors provided as software or firmware).

In some examples, the one or more selectors may be located in a programlocated in the remote input device, wherein upon receiving the one ormore conditional inputs from the remote computing device or from manualinput (e.g., via a user entering values into fields on a user interfaceof the operational program), the remote input device automaticallyselects the operational program or communicates each conditional inputwith the controller via a data connection therebetween. For example, theone or more selectors may be implemented as part of a control program,wherein the one or more selectors are portions of the control programthat accept the conditional inputs and communicate the same to anotherportion of the control program which automatically selects anoperational program to output oxidant responsive to the conditionalinputs. Examples of communication of data between the controller and theremote input device and the remote input device and the remote computingsystem are disclosed herein and may be utilized as portions of themethod 700 for the purposes described herein, without limitation.

Inputting one or more conditional inputs into a system including aportable scent control device may include continuously, intermittently,or selectively inputting the one or more conditional inputs into theselectors of the portable scent control device.

The method 700 includes the act 720 of automatically selecting anoperational program responsive to receiving the one or more conditionalinputs, wherein the operational program includes one or more selectedoxidant output parameters corresponding to the one or more conditionalinputs, and the one or more selected oxidant output parameters areeffective to cause the portable scent control device to emit oxidant ata selected oxidant output rate. In examples, automatically selecting anoperational program responsive to receiving the one or more conditionalinputs, may be carried out by the controller of the portable scentcontrol device. The controller may include a program thereon whichautomatically correlates the conditional inputs with an operationalprogram having output parameters corresponding to the local conditionsdescribed by the conditional inputs. In examples, automaticallyselecting an operational program responsive to receiving the one or moreconditional inputs, may be carried out by a remote input device or evena remote computing device of a system containing the portable scentcontrol device, as disclosed with respect to FIG. 2.

The operational program includes one or more selected oxidant outputparameters corresponding to the one or more conditional inputs (e.g.,the local conditions described by the conditional inputs). The selectedoxidant output parameters may be absolute output parameters, that is,output parameters relative to zero output. The selected oxidant outputparameters may be relative to (base) output parameters corresponding toa base output of oxidant at a default operational program or setting. Insome examples, the operational program includes output parameters for atemporary boost mode corresponding to the selected oxidant outputparameters. For example, the temporary boost mode output parameters maybe relative to the current output parameters of the portable scentcontrol device, such as a standard indoor mode or standard outdoor modeas adjusted according current local conditions.

The one or more selected oxidant output parameters are effective tocause the portable scent control device to emit oxidant at the selectedoxidant output rate, such as at least 100 mg of oxidant per hour.

The one or more selected oxidant output parameters may include one ormore of an amount electrical bias delivered to the portable oxidantgenerator (e.g., corona discharge electrode(s)), duration of electricalbias delivered to the portable oxidant generator, an amount or durationof electrical bias delivered to the at least one fan, durations of oneor more pulses of electrical energy to the portable oxidant source, anamount of increase of electrical bias to the portable oxidant sourceover a base amount of bias responsive to initiation of the temporaryboost mode, or a duration of the increased electrical bias to theportable oxidant source responsive to initiation of the temporary boostmode.

Automatically selecting an operational program responsive to receivingthe one or more conditional inputs may include automatically selectingan operational program corresponding to a combination of the one or moreconditional inputs that are input into the system, with a controller ofthe portable scent control device or a remote computing device operablycoupled thereto. For example, automatically selecting an operationalprogram responsive to receiving the one or more conditional inputs mayinclude automatically correlating (e.g., with the controller or remotecomputing device) the one or more conditional inputs with a selectedoperational program that is composed to cause the portable scent controldevice to emit an oxidant at a selected rate that is effective to causeenough oxidant to be produced under current environmental conditions toat least partially dissociate scent molecules emanating from a user. Theselected rate is sufficient to prevent an animal in an area where theportable scent control device is located from detecting the scent(s) ofthe user.

In examples, automatically selecting an operational program responsiveto receiving the one or more conditional inputs includes automaticallyselecting an operational program that includes instructions foroperating the portable scent control device at a higher oxidant outputrate or a lower oxidant output rate than a base oxidant output rate(e.g. temporary boost mode) based on one or more conditional inputs. Theone or more conditional inputs may include data communicating localconditions such as one or more of a wind speed, an elevation, abarometric pressure, a relative humidity, a temperature, a functionalstatus of the portable scent control device, or indoor location of anarea where the portable scent control device is located.

In examples, automatically selecting an operational program responsiveto receiving the one or more conditional inputs may include continuouslyor intermittently selecting the operational program responsive toreceiving the one or more conditional inputs. The continuous orintermittent selection may be carried out in intervals of at least 5minutes, such as 5 minutes to 4 hours, 10 minutes to 2 hours, 15 minutesto 1 hour, 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, 1 hour to 3 hours, less than 4hours, more than 1 hour, or more than 2 hours.

The method 700 includes the act 730 of automatically adjusting one ormore output parameters of the portable scent control device to the oneor more selected oxidant output parameters. Automatically adjusting oneor more output parameters of the portable scent control device to theone or more selected oxidant output parameters may include adjusting theone or more output parameters from base, non-zero oxidant outputparameters to the selected oxidant output parameters. Automaticallyadjusting one or more output parameters of the portable scent controldevice to the one or more selected oxidant output parameters may includeadjusting the one or more output parameters from a base zero value foreach of the oxidant output parameters.

In examples, automatically adjusting one or more operational parametersof the portable scent control device to the one or more selected oxidantoutput parameters is performed by the controller of the portable scentcontrol device. The controller automatically adjusts the one or moreoperational parameters of the portable scent control device to the oneor more selected oxidant output parameters according to the selectedoxidant output parameters in the operational program. For example, aprocessor in the controller of the portable scent control device mayaccess and execute an operational program stored in the memory of thecontroller to control the electrical bias applied to the portableoxidant source or one or more fans. In examples, automatically adjustingone or more operational parameters of the portable scent control deviceto the one or more selected oxidant output parameters may includeproviding instructions (e.g., electrical signals) to increase ordecrease an amount of electrical bias applied to the portable oxidantgenerator or one or more fans (or a duration of the same) of theportable scent control device.

In examples, automatically adjusting one or more output parameters ofthe portable scent control device to the one or more selected oxidantoutput parameters may be carried out continuously, intermittently, orselectively (e.g., responsive only to a user command).

The method 700 includes the act 740 of outputting the oxidant from theportable scent control device at the selected oxidant output rate. Asnoted above, the portable scent control device may include any of theportable scent control devices disclosed herein. Outputting the oxidantfrom the portable scent control device at the selected oxidant outputrate includes outputting one or more of ozone, diatomic oxygen, diatomichalogens, peroxides, radicals of any of the foregoing or componentsthereof, metastable oxygen, negatively charged metal oxides,encapsulated ozone, activated ozone, peracetic acid, chlorine dioxide,thixotropic gels, singlet oxygen, hypochlorite, or chlorite, from theportable scent control device. For example, outputting the oxidant fromthe portable scent control device at the selected oxidant output ratemay include outputting ozone from a portable ozone generator at theselected oxidant (ozone) output rate. Even more specifically, outputtingthe oxidant from the portable scent control device at the selectedoxidant output rate may include outputting ozone from a corona dischargeozone generator of the portable scent control device.

Outputting the oxidant from the portable scent control device at theselected oxidant output rate includes outputting the oxidant from theportable scent control device at any of the rates for any of thedurations disclosed herein. Outputting the oxidant from the portablescent control device at the selected oxidant output rate may be carriedout continuously or intermittently (e.g., pulses).

In examples, the method 700 includes positioning the portable scentcontrol device adjacent to a user in an outdoor environment, in acontainer, or in a room. In examples, positioning the portable scentcontrol device adjacent to the user may be carried out prior to or whileoutputting the oxidant from the portable scent control device at theselected oxidant output rate. In examples, positioning the portablescent control device adjacent to the user includes positioning theportable scent control device upwind from the user, on the user, on apiece of the user's equipment (e.g. pack), above the user, level withthe user, downwind from the user, or in a user's blind.

The method 700 may include remotely activating a temporary boost modeoperational program for temporarily increasing an amount of oxidantemitted from the portable scent control device to a selected amount fora selected duration. For example, the selected amount may include any ofthe boost mode amounts disclosed herein and the selected duration mayinclude any of the durations disclosed herein. For example, the selectedamount may include at least a 30% increase in oxidant emission over theselected oxidant output rate of the operational program and the selectedduration includes at least 1 minute. In examples, remotely activating aboost mode operational program for temporarily increasing an amount ofoxidant emitted from the portable scent control device to a selectedamount for a selected duration includes activating the boost modeoperational program with a remote control or remote input deviceoperably coupled to the controller of the portable scent control device.In examples, the method 700 may include remotely activating a temporaryboost mode for more than one scent control device, such as via a singleremote control or remote input device. In such examples, a hunting guidemay be able to activate the temporary boost mode of the scent controldevices worn by a plurality of hunters and guides.

In examples, the method 700 may include determining one or more localconditions, such as via weather detection device such as a portableweather station, a wind meter, a temperature sensor, a barometer,altimeter, etc. The weather detection device may be operably coupled tothe remote input device, the remote control, or the portable scentcontrol device. Upon determining the one or more local conditions, thedetermined conditions may be manually input into the controller by theuser or automatically input into the controller via the remote inputdevice, remote control, or weather detection device.

Any of the example controllers, computing devices, remote controls,remote input devices, or systems disclosed herein may be used to carryout any of the example methods disclosed herein. FIG. 8 is a blockdiagram of a controller 800 for executing any of the example methodsdisclosed herein, according to an embodiment. The controller 800 may beconfigured to implement any of the example methods disclosed herein,such as the method 700. The controller 800 includes at least onecomputing device 810. The at least one computing device 810 is anexemplary computing device that may be configured to perform one or moreof the acts described above, such as the method 700. The at least onecomputing device 810 may include one or more servers, one or morecomputers (e.g., desk-top computer, lap-top computer), one or moremobile computing devices (e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc.), or one ormore custom computing systems assembled to execute proprietaryfunctions. The computing device 810 may comprise at least one processor820, memory 830, a storage device 840, an input/output (“I/O”)device/interface 850, and a communication interface 860. In examples,the computing device 810 may be sized to fit in another device, such asthe housing of the portable scent control device.

While an example computing device 810 is shown in FIG. 8, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 8 are not intended to be limiting of the controller800 or computing device 810. Additional or alternative components may beused in some examples. Further, in some examples, the controller 800 orthe computing device 810 may include fewer components than those shownin FIG. 8. For example, the controller 800 may not include the one ormore additional computing devices 812 (e.g., remote computing device).Rather, the one or more additional computing devices 812 may be separateand distinct from the computing device 810 of the controller 800. Insome examples, the at least one computing device 810 may includeconnections to a plurality of computing devices, such as a server farm,computational network, or cluster of computing devices. Components ofcomputing device 810 shown in FIG. 8 are described in additional detailbelow. In examples, the controller 800 or computing device 810 may beimplemented as the controller 110 (FIG. 1).

In some examples, the processor(s) 820 includes hardware for executingoperational programs or instructions (e.g., instructions for carryingout one or more portions of any of the methods disclosed herein), suchas those making up a computer program. For example, to executeoperational instructions, the processor(s) 820 may retrieve (or fetch)the operational instructions from an internal register, an internalcache, the memory 830, or a storage device 840 and decode and executethem. In particular examples, processor(s) 820 may include one or moreinternal caches for data such as oxidant output parameters or voltageamounts correlated to oxidant output parameters. As an example, theprocessor(s) 820 may include one or more instruction caches, one or moredata caches, and one or more translation lookaside buffers (TLBs).Operational instructions in the instruction caches may be copies ofinstructions in memory 830 or storage device 840. In some examples, theprocessor 820 may be configured (e.g., include programming storedthereon or executed thereby) to carry out one or more portions of any ofthe example methods disclosed herein.

In some examples, the processor 820 is configured to perform any of theacts disclosed herein such as in method 700 or cause one or moreportions of the computing device 810 or controller 800 to perform atleast one of the acts disclosed herein. Such a configuration may includeone or more operational programs (e.g., computer program products) thatare executable by the at least one processor 820. For example, theprocessor 820 may be configured to automatically select an operationalprogram responsive to receiving the one or more conditional inputs orautomatically adjust one or more operational parameters of the portablescent control device to the one or more selected oxidant outputparameters.

The at least one computing device 810 (e.g., a server) may include atleast one memory storage medium (e.g., memory 830 and/or storage device840). The computing device 810 may include memory 830, which is operablycoupled to the processor(s) 820. The memory 830 may be used for storingdata, metadata, and operational programs for execution by theprocessor(s) 820. The memory 830 may include one or more of volatile andnon-volatile memories, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), Read OnlyMemory (ROM), a solid state disk (SSD), Flash, Phase Change Memory(PCM), or other types of data storage. The memory 830 may be internal ordistributed memory.

The computing device 810 may include the storage device 840 havingstorage for storing data or instructions. The storage device 840 may beoperably coupled to the at least one processor 820. In some examples,the storage device 840 may comprise a non-transitory memory storagemedium, such as any of those described above. The storage device 840(e.g., non-transitory storage medium) may include a hard disk drive(HDD), a floppy disk drive, flash memory, an optical disc, amagneto-optical disc, magnetic tape, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB)drive or a combination of two or more of these. Storage device 840 mayinclude removable or non-removable (or fixed) media. Storage device 840may be internal or external to the computing device 810. In someexamples, storage device 840 may include non-volatile, solid-statememory. In some examples, storage device 840 may include read-onlymemory (ROM). Where appropriate, this ROM may be mask programmed ROM,programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasablePROM (EEPROM), electrically alterable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory or acombination of two or more of these. In some examples, one or moreportions of the memory 830 and/or storage device 840 (e.g., memorystorage medium(s)) may store one or more databases thereon. At leastsome of the databases may be used to store one or more of localconditions, conditional inputs, correlations between conditional inputsand output parameters, or any other data as disclosed herein.

In some examples, one or more of operational programs (e.g., temporaryboost mode operational programs), local conditions, conditional inputs,correlations between conditional inputs and output parameters, or anyother data, may be stored in a memory storage medium such as one or moreof the at least one processor 820 (e.g., internal cache of theprocessor), memory 830, or the storage device 840. In some examples, theat least one processor 820 may be configured to access (e.g., via bus870) the memory storage medium(s) such as one or more of the memory 830or the storage device 840. For example, the at least one processor 820may receive and store the data (e.g., look-up tables) as a plurality ofdata points in the memory storage medium(s). The at least one processor820 may execute programming stored therein adapted access the data inthe memory storage medium(s) to perform any of the acts disclosedherein.

The computing device 810 also includes one or more I/Odevices/interfaces 850, which are provided to allow a user to provideinput to, receive output from, and otherwise transfer data to and fromthe computing device 810. These I/O devices/interfaces 850 may include amouse, keypad or a keyboard, a touch screen, camera, optical scanner,network interface, web-based access, modem, a port, other known I/Odevices, any of the one or more selectors disclosed herein, or acombination of such I/O devices/interfaces 850. The one or moreselectors may be manipulated by a stylus or a finger. The touch screenmay be activated with a stylus or a finger.

The I/O devices/interfaces 850 may include one or more devices forpresenting output to a user, including, but not limited to, a graphicsengine, a display (e.g., a display screen or monitor), one or moreoutput drivers (e.g., display drivers), one or more audio speakers, andone or more audio drivers. In certain examples, I/O devices/interfaces850 are configured to provide graphical data to a display forpresentation to a user. The graphical data may be representative of oneor more graphical user interfaces and/or any other graphical content asmay serve a particular implementation.

The computing device 810 may further include a communication interface860 (e.g., data connection 160 of FIG. 1). The communication interface860 may include hardware, software, or both. The communication interface860 may provide one or more interfaces for communication (such as, forexample, packet-based communication) between the computing device 810and one or more additional computing devices 812 or one or morenetworks. For example, communication interface 860 may include a networkinterface controller (NIC) or network adapter for communicating with anEthernet or other wire-based network or a wireless NIC (WNIC) orwireless adapter for communicating with a wireless network, such as aWI-FI.

Any suitable network and any suitable communication interface 860 may beused. For example, computing device 810 may communicate with an ad hocnetwork, a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), awide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or one ormore portions of the Internet or a combination of two or more of these.One or more portions of one or more of these networks may be wired orwireless. As an example, one or more portions of controller 800 orcomputing device 810 may communicate with a wireless PAN (WPAN) (suchas, for example, a BLUETOOTH WPAN), a WI-FI network, a WI-MAX network, acellular telephone network (such as, for example, a GSM network), orother suitable wireless network or a combination thereof. Computingdevice 810 may include any suitable communication interface 860 for anyof these networks, where appropriate.

The computing device 810 may include the bus 870. The bus 870 mayinclude hardware, software, or both that couples components of computingdevice 810 to each other. For example, bus 870 may include anAccelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an EnhancedIndustry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a front-side bus (FSB), aHYPERTRANSPORT (HT) interconnect, an Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) bus, an INFINIBAND interconnect, a low-pin-count (LPC) bus, amemory bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, a PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express (PCIe) bus, a serialadvanced technology attachment (SATA) bus, a Video Electronics StandardsAssociation local (VLB) bus, or another suitable bus or a combinationthereof.

It should be appreciated that any of the examples of acts describedherein, such as in the method 700 may be performed by and/or at thecontroller 800 or computing device 810 thereof. As noted the computingdevice 810 may be sized, shaped, and otherwise configured to fit one orwithin the portable scent control devices or systems disclosed herein.The operational programs may be stored and/or executed by the controller800 or the computing device 810 therein.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example computer program product 900,according to an embodiment. The computer program product 900 is arrangedto store operational instructions for selectively emitting scent controlmaterial responsive to local conditions of a scent control device asdisclosed herein with respect to the scent control methods, systems, anddevices. The non-transitory signal bearing medium 910 may include acomputer-readable medium 930 (e.g., read-only memory, RAM, hard drivesuch as a magnetic disc drive or solid state disc, flash memory stick,internal cache of a processor, or optical disc), a computer recordablemedium 940 (e.g., RAM, hard drive, memory stick, optical disc, etc.), acomputer communications medium 950 (e.g., internal cache of a BUS,etc.), or combinations thereof. the non-transitory signal bearing medium910 stores programming instructions 920 (e.g., computer code describingone or more operational instructions or programs) that may configure theprocessing unit of an associated controller or computer storing the sameto perform all or some of the methods or acts described herein. Theoperational instructions may include, for example, one or more machinereadable and executable instructions for “inputting one or moreconditional inputs into a system including a portable scent controldevice.” These operational instructions may include, for example, one ormore machine readable and executable instructions for “automaticallyselecting an operational program responsive to receiving the one or moreconditional inputs, wherein the operational program includes one or moreselected oxidant output parameters corresponding to the one or moreconditional inputs, and the one or more selected oxidant outputparameters are effective to cause the portable scent control device toemit oxidant at a selected oxidant output rate.” The operationalinstructions may include, for example, one or more machine readable andexecutable instructions for “automatically adjusting one or more outputparameters of the portable scent control device to the one or moreselected oxidant output parameters.” The operational instructions mayinclude, for example, one or more machine readable and executableinstructions for “outputting the oxidant from the portable scent controldevice at the selected oxidant output rate.” In examples, theoperational instructions may include any portions of the method 700disclosed herein, in any combination.

The computer program product 900 is readable and executable by the oneor more of the controllers, remoted computing devices, or remote inputdevices disclosed herein. For example, the controller of the portablescent control devices may have the computer program product 900 storedtherein. The controller may access and execute one more operationalprograms of the computer program product 900, such as responsive toreceiving conditional inputs or a code identifying a selectedoperational program.

In some examples, the endpoint values disclosed herein may beapproximate values, which may vary by 10% or less from the preciseendpoint value given. In such examples, the term “about” or“substantially” may indicate the approximate values.

Aspects of any of the examples disclosed herein may be used with aspectsof any other examples, disclosed herein without limitation.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects andembodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and arenot intended to be limiting. Additionally, the words “including,”“having,” and variants thereof (e.g., “includes” and “has”) as usedherein, including the claims, shall be open ended and have the samemeaning as the word “comprising” and variants thereof (e.g., “comprise”and “comprises”).

What is claimed is:
 1. A scent control device, comprising: a portableozone generator; a controller operably coupled to the portable ozonegenerator, the controller including one or more operational programsstored therein to control generation and output of ozone from theportable ozone generator, each of the one or more operational programsincluding ozone generation and output parameters for generating anamount of ozone corresponding to a combination of one or moreconditional inputs indicating local conditions of the scent controldevice; and one or more selectors operably coupled to the controller forinputting the one or more conditional inputs into the controller, theone or more selectors including at least one of a plurality of directinputs coupled to the portable ozone generator or a data connection fora network device coupled to the portable ozone generator, the networkdevice having access to location data for an area in which the portableozone generator is located.
 2. The scent control device of claim 1,wherein the portable ozone generator includes a corona discharge ozonegenerator.
 3. The scent control device of claim 1, wherein the localconditions include one or more of a wind speed, an elevation, abarometric pressure, a relative humidity, a temperature, or indoorlocation of an area where the portable ozone generator is located. 4.The scent control device of claim 3, wherein the local conditionsinclude a functional status of the portable ozone generator.
 5. Thescent control device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of directinputs corresponds to one of the one or more conditional inputsincluding a wind speed conditional input, an elevation conditionalinput, a barometric pressure conditional input, a relative humidityconditional input, a temperature conditional input, or an indoorconditional input.
 6. The scent control device of claim 5, wherein theoutput parameters of the one or more operational programs are composedto direct a selected amount of ozone generated per unit time based upona value of a combination of the one or more conditional inputs.
 7. Thescent control device of claim 5, wherein the output parameters of theone or more operational programs are composed to direct a selectedamount of ozone generated per unit time for a selected duration basedupon a value of a combination of the one or more conditional inputs. 8.The scent control device of claim 1, wherein the location data includesglobal positioning coordinates corresponding to the area in which theportable ozone generator is disposed and the one or more conditionalinputs including a wind speed conditional input, an elevationconditional inputs, a barometric pressure conditional input, a relativehumidity conditional input, a temperature conditional input, or anindoor conditional input, corresponding to the global positioningcoordinates.
 9. The scent control device of claim 8, wherein the outputparameters of the one or more operational programs are composed todirect a selected amount of ozone generated per unit time based upon avalue of a combination of the one or more conditional inputs.
 10. Thescent control device of claim 8, wherein the data connection includesone or more of a wired connection, a Bluetooth port, an infrared port, aradio frequency port, or a Wi-Fi port.
 11. The scent control device ofclaim 1, further comprising a remote control operably coupled to thecontroller, wherein the remote control is configured to initiate orterminate generation of ozone, adjust an amount of ozone generated fromthe portable ozone generator, input the one or more conditional inputs,or initiate a temporary boost mode operational program.
 12. The scentcontrol device of claim 1, wherein the one or more operational programsinclude a temporary boost mode operational program for temporarilyincreasing an amount of ozone emitted from the portable ozone generatorto a selected amount for a selected duration which includes directionsto increase ozone generation by the portable ozone generator by at least30% for a duration of at least 1 minute over a current ozone generationby the portable ozone generator prescribed by the one or moreconditional inputs.
 13. The scent control device of claim 1, furthercomprising a fan operably coupled to the controller and positioned topropel ozone away from the portable ozone generator.
 14. The scentcontrol device of claim 13, further comprising a power supply operablycoupled to the portable ozone generator, the controller, and the fan.15. The scent control device of claim 14, further comprising a housingcontaining the power supply, the portable ozone generator, thecontroller, and the fan.
 16. A scent control system, comprising: aportable scent control device, including: an ozone generator configuredto generate and output ozone; and a controller operably coupled to theozone generator, the controller being configured to control generationand output of ozone from the portable scent control device according toone or more operational programs, each of the one or more operationalprograms including ozone output parameters for generating an amount ofozone corresponding to a combination of one or more conditional inputsindicating local conditions of the portable scent control device thatdictate availability of atmospheric oxygen for generating ozone; one ormore selectors operably coupled to the controller for inputting the oneor more conditional inputs corresponding to local conditions of theportable scent control device into the controller, the one or moreselectors including a data connection for at least one remote devicecoupled to the portable ozone generator; and a remote computing systemoperably coupled to the one or more selectors, the remote computingsystem including at least one database of conditional inputs andcorresponding operational programs, the remote computing system havingaccess to location data for an area in which the portable ozonegenerator is located to input at least some of the one or moreconditional inputs or select an operational program from the one or moreoperational programs for execution by the controller.
 17. The scentcontrol system of claim 16, wherein the one or more selectors areoperably coupled to at least one remote input device operably coupled tothe remote computing system, wherein the remote input device isconfigured to initiate or terminate generation of ozone, adjust anamount of ozone generated by the portable scent control device, inputthe one or more conditional inputs, or initiate a temporary boost mode.18. The scent control system of claim 17, wherein the at least oneremote input device includes one or more of a remote control, a cellularphone, a satellite phone, or a global positioning system receiver. 19.The scent control system of claim 17, wherein the remote input deviceincludes a cellular phone with global positioning system capabilitiesoperably coupled to the one or more selectors and the cellular phone isoperably coupled to the remote computing system via one or more ofWi-Fi, cellular network, Bluetooth, or satellite network connection. 20.The scent control system of claim 19, wherein: the cellular phone isconfigured to receive global positioning coordinates of a location ofthe portable scent control device and communicate the global positioningcoordinates to the remote computing system; the remote computing systemis configured to: receive the global positioning coordinates from thecellular phone; access a database of current conditional inputscorresponding to the location of the global positioning coordinates; andcommunicate the current conditional inputs to the cellular phone; andthe cellular phone is configured to communicate the current conditionalinputs to the one or more selectors effective to initiate a selectedoperational program stored in the controller corresponding to thecurrent conditional inputs to control production of the ozone at aselected rate.
 21. The scent control system of claim 19, wherein: thecellular phone is configured to receive global positioning coordinatesof a location of the portable scent control device and communicate theglobal positioning coordinates to the remote computing system; theremote computing system is configured to: receive the global positioningcoordinates from the cellular phone; access a database of currentconditional inputs for the location of the global positioningcoordinates: correlate the one or more of the current conditional inputswith a selected operational program composed to cause the portable scentcontrol device to produce ozone at a selected rate; and communicate theselected operational program to the cellular phone; and the cellularphone is configured to communicate the selected operational program withthe controller effective to initiate production of the ozone at theselected rate.
 22. The scent control system of claim 16, furthercomprising a remote control operably coupled to the controller, whereinthe remote control is configured to initiate or terminate generation ofozone, adjust an amount of ozone generated by the portable scent controldevice, input one or more conditional inputs, or place the portablescent control device in a temporary boost mode.
 23. The scent controlsystem of claim 16, wherein the controller includes a boost modeoperational program for temporarily increasing an amount of ozoneemitted from the portable scent control device to a selected amount fora selected duration.
 24. The scent control system of claim 16, whereinthe local conditions include one or more of a wind speed, a temperatureof an area where the portable scent control device is located, or acurrent efficiency of the ozone generator.